The Watcher Read Free

I’m rewarded well for the work that I do.” She took a slice of bread, spread it thick with butter, and placed it on my dish. “Here you go. Enjoy it.”
    I didn’t know exactly what Adrie did for work—but this wasn’t the time to ask and I was too hungry to care. The stew was thick with meat, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. I hadn’t had a real substantial meal with meat in a long time—not even back in the States—but we didn’t lack anything here, and I devoured two bowlfuls.
    After a dessert of baked cinnamon apples topped with sweet nutty syrup and whipped cream, Adrie said, “Tomorrow you will come with me to my office downtown. There you will meet Admiral Canaris, who is—as you say in America—my boss.”
    Although I was curious about Adrie’s work, I was sure I’d be bored. “Are you positive you want me to go with you?”
    â€œOf course. I’m positive. Admiral Canaris often asks about you. I was told he has a surprise for us.”
    â€œA surprise? For us?”
    â€œYes. But now it’s time for you to go to bed.” She stood up, dismissing me.
    I would have liked to stay up longer, but I could tell Adrie was finished with me. It was as if she were checking me off her list of daily duties.
    â€œThank you for all the beautiful clothes you bought me, Adrie,” I said before leaving.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” she answered. “Sleep well.”
    I went to my room, put on my new pajamas, turned out the light, and looked out the window. My room faced the park, which was dark now. For a moment I recalled the face I had seen amid the foliage. It was simply a mirage, I told myself as I climbed into bed.
    Still, it really had looked like a face.

4
Speeding on the Autobahn
    T he next morning after breakfast, Adrie reminded me of our visit to meet with Admiral Canaris. I hoped it wouldn’t take long.
    â€œHow come Admiral Canaris isn’t on a ship? An admiral is a naval officer, isn’t it?”
    â€œHe was in the navy in the last war. Now he is the head the Abwehr military intelligence unit.”
    â€œIntelligence? Does that mean he’s a genius or something?”
    Adrie laughed. “Well, he is a brilliant man, actually,” she explained, still chuckling. “He has a position of great importance. Abwehr is the department that hunts out those who are working against our Führer.”
    Things were beginning to fall into place. Adrie was a spy and she worked for the German government as a spy in the United States. They had found out and wanted to catchher. And that was the reason we had to run away.
    â€œOh, so Abwehr is a spy organization?” I asked.
    â€œGo get dressed and don’t ask so many questions.”
    I wore a new blue skirt, shirt, and jacket along with matching shoes, and Adrie wore a deep blue suit, so we sort of matched. She called a taxi, and we drove through downtown Berlin to the Abwehr office. Of course, there was no sign on the door advertising the fact that this was a Nazi spy organization. It didn’t seem different than any other office that I’d seen. However, there were signs on some doors that indicated no one was allowed through unless they had priority clearance. Adrie translated for me.
    I think I was expecting the need for a top-secret code to open the door, or a bookcase that swung open to a hidden room. But then, when I looked at Adrie, she wasn’t like a spy I might have seen in a movie. I didn’t think she ever had one of those spy raincoats with lots of pockets or a wristwatch that was really a radio. She looked more like a professional journalist or maybe the president of some big company.
    Admiral Canaris was a small man, quiet-spoken, and very sweet. He didn’t seem to me one bit like a top spy person—or whatever his title was. He smiled and shook my hand firmly and spoke softly to Adrie. She told him I didn’t